The main regional hospital in the midwest is to ban fresh flowers being taken into wards from the middle of next month as part of new infection control measures.
The plan, which will take effect from April 17th, follows a review of hygiene at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle, Limerick, after it scored poorly in last year's first national hospitals hygiene audit.
"Since then a vigorous campaign has been under way to improve all round hygiene among staff, visitors and patients with increased emphasis on hand hygiene and general waste-management," the hospital said.
"The ban on fresh flowers is an infection control measure which is now commonplace in many acute hospitals."
In 2003 when a plan by hospitals in Britain to ban flowers from surgical wards was announced, it was stated that the water in vases could harbour germs.
The Mid Western Regional Hospital is also introducing new policies on car parking and smoking.
The changes will take effect in two stages. A swipe card access system for staff car parking will begin on April 3rd and the new public car parking arrangements will come into force on May 1st.
Fees for public parking, at present a flat rate of €1.20 irrespective of duration, will increase to €1 an hour. Mark Sparling, the hospital's general manager, said some people were parking their cars at the hospital all day for €1.20.
Under the new smoking policy, which will come into effect on April 17th, patients, visitors and staff are being asked to smoke only in three new outdoor shelters.